Belt weatherstrip with spiral retention lock

Abstract

A molding for attachment to a vehicle having a flange edge, said molding comprising a generally U-shaped metallic support member having in cross-section, first and second legs joined together by a web and a spiraled section formed from a portion of one leg said support member, said spiraled section extending inwardly in a channel of said support member and in opposition to the other leg of said support member. A ramp section may be formed from a portion of the first leg and extends inwardly into the channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A molding for attachment to a vehicle having a flange edge, said molding comprising: a generally U-shaped metallic support member having an elastomeric cover thereon and having, in cross-section, first and second legs joined together by a web to form a channel, said first leg being relatively longer than said second leg and said second leg having a free end which is reentrantly bent inwardly of said channel;   a spiraled section formed from a nonterminal portion of one leg of said support member, said spiraled section extending inwardly in a channel of said support member and having a portion of said elastomeric cover bonded thereon in opposition to the other leg of said support member.   
     
     
       2. A molding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second leg carries a decorative metal layer. 
     
     
       3. A molding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said spiraled section is tapered in lateral cross-section. 
     
     
       4. A molding as set forth in claim 3, wherein said spiraled section has a free end extending generally upwardly into said channel. 
     
     
       5. A molding as set forth in claim 4, wherein said spiraled section has a free end extending towards said opening of said channel. 
     
     
       6. A molding as in claim 5, wherein said spiraled section is at an oblique angle to said longitudinal axis of said molding. 
     
     
       7. A molding as in claim 6, wherein said spiraled section is unitary with said first leg. 
     
     
       8. A molding as in claim 7, wherein said spiraled section is punched from said first leg. 
     
     
       9. A molding as in claim 8, wherein said spiraled section comprises a portion of said first leg which has been spirally bent inwardly of said channel. 
     
     
       10. A molding for attachment to a vehicle having a flange edge, said molding comprising: a generally U-shaped metallic support member having in cross-section, first and second legs joined together by a web to define a channel;   a spiraled section formed from a nonterminal portion of one leg of said support member, said spiraled section extending inwardly in a channel of said support member and in opposition to the other leg of said support member; and   a ramp section formed from a portion of said one leg, said ramp portion extending inwardly in said channel.   
     
     
       11. A molding as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first leg is relatively longer than said second leg. 
     
     
       12. A molding as set forth in claim 11, wherein said second leg carries a decorative metal layer. 
     
     
       13. A molding as set forth in claim 11, wherein said second leg has a free end and said free end is reentrantly bent inwardly of said channel. 
     
     
       14. A molding as set forth in claim 13, wherein said support member has an elastomeric cover thereon. 
     
     
       15. A molding as set forth in claim 14, wherein said elastomeric cover is bonded to said spiraled section in opposition to said second leg. 
     
     
       16. A molding as set forth in claim 10 wherein said ramp section is inclined relative to said one leg. 
     
     
       17. A molding for attachment to a vehicle having a flange edge, said molding comprising: a generally metallic support member having in cross-section, first and second legs joined together by a web to define a channel, said first leg being longer than said second leg, said second leg having a free end reentrantly bent inwardly with respect to said channel;   a spiraled section tapered in lateral cross-section and formed from a portion of one leg of said support member, said spiraled section extending inwardly said channel of said support member and in opposition to the other leg of said support member, said support member having an elastomeric cover over at least said spiraled section; and   a ramp section formed from a portion of said one leg, said ramp portion extending inwardly in said channel.   
     
     
       18. A molding as set forth in claim 17, wherein said spiraled section has a free end extending generally upwardly into said channel. 
     
     
       19. A molding as set forth in claim 18, wherein said spiraled section has a free end extending towards said opening of said channel. 
     
     
       20. A molding as in claim 19, wherein said spiraled section is at an oblique angle to said longitudinal axis of said molding. 
     
     
       21. A molding as in claim 20, wherein said spiraled section is unitary with said first leg. 
     
     
       22. A molding as in claim 21, wherein said spiraled section is punched from said first leg. 
     
     
       23. A molding as in claim 22, wherein said spiraled section comprises a portion of said first leg which has been spirally bent inwardly of said channel. 
     
     
       24. A molding as in claim 17 wherein said ramp section comprises a portion of said first leg which has been bent inwardly of said channel.